Reach a Hand Uganda (RAHU) held the Peer Educators Academy closing ceremony last Friday evening at Seven Trees Gardens Kololo where over twelve peer educators and traditional icons walked away with different awards. The event was graced by city celebrities like Naava Grey, Geosteady, Dave Dash, Dr. Maggie Kigozi among others.
In a one month training held at Victoria University, Over seventy (70) university students and senior six leavers were trained and equipped with Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights information with a focus on young people by Reach A Hand, Uganda.
“We have been blessed with enthusiastic young people who were eager to learn and be ready to be ambassadors to their peers when it comes to passing on sexual reproductive health and rights information. We strongly believe we are going to have a unique class of peer educators this year.” Issa Buka, RAHU’s Programmes Manager said.
While addressing the event revelers last Friday, the night’s Guest of honor Dr. Karusi Kiragu the Country Director of UNAIDS Uganda applauded Reach A Hand Uganda for using the Peer Educators Model to reach out to other young people across Uganda.
Besides peer educators and traditional icons, Reach A Hand Uganda also appreciated and recognized individuals who have been instrumental to its growth as an organization right from inception in 2010. These were Kin Kariisa (CEO of Next Media Services), Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga (HIV/AIDS champion) and Dr. Maggie Kigozi (Navio’s mother).
Here is the full list of winners;
- Best use of social media – Frank Byaruhanga
- Leadership Award – Timothy Arnold Ssessaazi
- Best SRHR advocate – Leticia Namukose
- Rising star Award – Barbara Namuddu
- Health Journalism Award- Joseph Kato, Daily Monitor
- Achievement award – Kenneth Ivan Kintu
- Innovation award – GetIN team
- Best overall Peer educator Female – Jaliah Nalubwama
- Best overall Peer educator, Male – Yonah Odoi
- Peer Educators’ choice award male – Frank Byaruhanga
- Peer Educators’ choice award female – Leticia Namukose
- Best cultural icon (male) – Shadrack Kuteesa
- Best cultural icon (female) – Naava Grey
- Star Hall of Fame Award – Dr. Maggie Kigozi, Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga, Kin Kariisa